Oil saver



Dec. 25,- 1934.

R. F. PARKS OIL SAVER miginal Filed Aug. 4, 19:51 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 K n H w m fl r H w Mm B 0 WH B 0f" r/ v l I 4 4, 4 4 .JWHI/ 4W k ll HHHU I IHHI IH I I HWIHHHHHHMI Y\\\\\\ I 6 W Dec. 25, 1934.

R. F. PARKS OIL SAVER Original Filed Aug. 4, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ZWVi/VTOR. Y Foam? 7." Ems.

Dec. 25, 193 4.

' R. F. PARK on. SAVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZZIIIII/ m VP Patented Dec.25,1934 1,985,327 a UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE OIL SAVER Robert F. Parks, Bakersfield, Calif.

Refiling abandoned application Serial No. 555,052, August 4, 1931. This application February 17,

1934, Serial No. 713,164

13 Claims. (Cl. 166-14) This is a refiling of my abandoned application Figure 11 is a view half in side elevation and for patent on oilsaver, Serial No. 555,052, filed half in section of the engaging head. August 4th, 1931. V Referring more particularly to the drawings,

This invention relates to an oil saver which is the numeral 1 indicates a sleeve which screws positioned on the upper end of the tubing during into or about the tubing in the top thereof. An the swabbing operation of the well, for the purannular shoulder 2 is formed on the top of the pose of strippingthe accumulated oil from the sleeve 1 for the purpose of limiting the upward outer surface of the cable as said cable is withmovement of the ring or housing member 3. drawn from the well. This housing member fits closely around the An object of my invention is to provide a novel sleeve 1 under theshoulder 2. The ring is held 10 means for.releasing the inner or cable-engaging in position against the shoulder by a means to part of the oil saver when the rope socket or be subsequently described.

swab strikes the same, thereby preventing injury A plunger 4 is slidably mounted in the sleeve to the cable, the swab and the oil saver. 1 by means of a plurality of longitudinally ex- Another object is to provide a novel oil saver, tending ribs or splines 5 which are formed there- 15 the inner cable-engaging portion of which is on. These ribs extend into grooves-or recesses released from the outer shell thereof by a partial 6 'in the sleeve 1 thereby holding the plunger rotation of said inner assembly. against rotation, but permitting it to slide ver- A further object is to provide anoil saver of tically. A collar 7 is releasably held in the housthe character stated which will effectively hold ing or ring 3 by means of segmental threads or 20 3 against the-substantial gas pressure in the well, teeth 8 which fit into co-acting segmental teeth but which will readily release when struck by or threads 9 which are formed on the inside of the rope socket or swa the housing or ring 3. That is, the coupling ar- An advantage of my oil saver is that it can be rangement between the ring and the collar is quickly and easily reassembled in position on the similar to the breech lock of a rifle. It will be 25 top of the tubing with a. minimum of time and evident that by this arrangement a partial roeifort. I tation of the collar will release the same from I Featuresof my invention include simplicity oi the ring, thus allowing the said collar to move construction, a relatively low manufacturing upwardly as will be further described.

cost, and high efl'lciency in use. A plurality of inclined teeth or lugs 10 are 30,

' Other objects, advantages and features of informed on the upper end of the plunger 4, and vention may appear from the accompanying these teeth extend into inclined cam grooves 11" drawings, the subjoined detailed description, and in the collar '7. Thus, it will be evident that the appended claims. when the plunger 4 is moved upwardly, a par- In the drawings 3 tial rotation will be imparted to the collar 7 thus 35 Figure 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of releasing the segmental teeth or threads 8-9 my oil saver, the inner plunger being shown in and the assembly of plunger and collar will be half section. free to move upwardly out of the ring 3. As pre- Figure 2 is a half sectional view of the collar. viously described, the plunger is held against 40 Figure 3 isa half sectional view of the mountrotation because of the splines 5, and therefore ing sleeve. the partial rotary motion is confined to the col- Figure 4 isa top plan view of the stop lug on lar. However, it is obviously the same arrange-- the mounting sleeve. ment if the inclined grooves should be in the Figure 5 is a side elevation of the body or sleeve with corresponding inclined splines on ring member. s the plunger, and. in that event the cam ways 11 5- a Figure 6 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a would be vertical as well as the lugs 10. The slightly modified form of packing for the inner object of the assembly is to impart a partial ro- D lm tation to the collar when the plunger is moved Figure 7 is a view half in section and half in upwardly.

' side elevation of a modified form of my oil saver. The collar '1 rests on top of the sleeve 1 when 50 Figure 8 is a view half in section and halfin in assembled position, substantially as. shown in side elevation of the inner actuating sleeve. I Figure 1. If desired, 9. depending ring 12 is Figure 9 is a topplan view of the same. formed on the bottom of the collar 7 and this Figure 10 is a transverse, sectional View of the annular ring fits into a corresponding annular inner grooved sleeve. groovein the top of the sleeve. A nut 13 screws 5 collar and plunger are now free to move upwardlyinto the upper end of the collar 7 and this nut is formed with a depending pipe 14 which extends into the bore of the plunger 4. A packing 15 is fitted within the pipe 14 and a packing nut 16 screws into the nut 13 against the top of the packing so that the packing may be forced inwardly against the cable which extends thru the same when the oil saver is in use. The packing 15 bears against the cable and strips the accumulated oil therefrom so that said 0.1 is returned into the well.

To support the ring 3 in proper position on the sleeve 1, I provide a plurality of recesses 17 in the sleeve, the inner surfaces of said recesses being serrated. A plug 18 fits into each of these recesses and also fits into elongated openings 19 in the lower end of the ring 3. A bolt 20 extends thru the openings 19 thru the plugs 18 and thread into the sleeve 1. Thus the plugs 18 serve to support the ring and also will limit the rotary movement of the ring. There is a slight rotary motion possible by the ring 3 due to the fact that the threads 89 must be interlocked when the oil saver is assembled. That is, the collar 7 is lowered into position and the ring is then given a partial rotary movement by means of handles 2121 which are formed thereon. The frict-onal resistance of the head of the bolt 20, or a spring under the head of the bolt-is suflicient to prevent rotation of the ring when the collar '7 is being released.

In the modified form of packing assembly shown in Figure 6, I provide'a cage 22 which is fitted into the collar 7. A piston 23 is fitted in the cage 22 and the piston is provided with a depending pipe member 24 which is adapted to extend into the plunger. Tubular packing 25 fits into the pipe 24 and the packing rests on an annular anti-frictional bearing 26 which bearing rests on the bottom of the pipe 24, A sleeve 27 is rotatably mounted in the cage 22 on bearings 28. The sleeve 27 is provided with an inner tapered surface 29 which fits against the packing 25.; A soft metal plug 30 is pressed into the sleeve27 and on the top thereof so that the oil line or cable will not wear against a-hard metal surface.

The packing 25 is so arranged that it will not engage the cable when the same is going into the well or when there is no gas pressure present. Any pressure in the well will be exerted thru openings 31 in the bottom of the cage, and thus pressure will move the piston 23 upwardly in the cage. Thus the packing 25 will be drawn inwardly against the cable, due to the inclined surface 29.

The rotary mounting 6f the-packing and the sleeve 27 will permit the packing to rotate and follow the spiral strands of the cable. This arrangement will result in a material saving in packing, in that'the packing will not be torn by the strands of the cable in the same manner as it would if the packing were stationary.

In operation, the sleeve 1 screws into or on to the tubing, the plunger is in position as shown in Figure 1, and the collar is locked in the ring 3 by the segmental'teeth 89. When the rope socket or swab reaches the surface, it will strike the bottom of the plunger 4 carrying the plunger upwardly. The lugs 10 which engage the spiral grooves 11, will impart a rotary movement to the collar 7, thus disengaging the teeth 89. The

with the swab and without any damage being incurred to the swab, the cable, or the oil saver,

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figures 7 to 11, inclusive, the structure is somewhat modified from that previously described, insofar as the engaging and releasing means-of the inner cable-engaging portion is concerned. In the present instance, the stationary portion of the saver is automatically engaged by the removable portion whenever said removable portion is lowered into engagement with the stationary part. The means whereby this is accomplished, will be subsequently described.

The numeral 35 indicates a sleeve which screws into or about the tubing at the top thereof, and an enlarged tubular head-36 is formed on top of the sleeve 35 for the purpose of receiving the releasable portion 37 of the oil saver. A plurality of horizontal slots 38 are formed adjacent the upper end of the member 36 and the inclined cam surfaces 39 extend to these slots for the purpose of guiding the removable member into position, as will be further described. The upper part of the member 36is adapted to rotate over a small angle relative to the lower part of the oil saver body, upon an anti-friction bearing 40.

An annular guide 41 is positioned within the member 36 and this guide extends over the bearing for the purpose of holding the upper movable part of the member in position. A pair of hand-operated screws 42--'42 extend thru the rotatable portion of the member 36 and bear against the guide 41 to hold the rotatable portion against movement, if desired. However, these screws are normally unscrewed so that the member is free to move. Stop pins 43 extend from the guide 41 into a slot 44 formed in the member 36, and a coil spring 45 bears against one end of the slot and against the pin 43 for the purpose of urging the rotatable portion of the member 36 in a counterclockwise direction. The advantage of this arrangement will be evident from the subsequent explanation.

The releasable portion 37 of the oil saver comprises a head 46 from which a' plurality of radial lugs 4'7 extend. These lugs are adapted to extend into the grooves 38 substantially as shown in Figure 7. When in position as shown in Figure "I, the releasable parts of the oil saver are securely held in position, and the oil in the tubing cannot pass out of the top of the saver. A packing sleeve 48 screws into the head 46 and this sleeve is adapted to retain the cylindrical packing 49. A nut 50 screws into the sleeve 48 against the top of the I ed inthe sleeve 51 and is provided with a plurality of vertical lugs which fit into the grooves 52 and are guided thereby. A pair of inclined lugs 5656 are provided at the upper end of the plunger 54 and these lugs fit into inclined groove-ways 5'7 formed in the head 46. The plunger 54 is engaged by the rope socket or the swab and is pulled upwardly by reason of the impact and this upward movement of the sleeve causes the lugs 56 to travel in the grooves 5'7 and thus will rotate the head 46 and will release the lugs 47 from the notches in the member 36, and the entire inner assembly 37 is then free to move upwardly with the cable.

A coil spring 58 rests within the plunger 54' and bears against the bottom of the packing sleeve 48 and against the lower inclined bottom edge of the plunger 54. The purpose of this spring is two-fold. Firstly, it acts as a shock absorber to the impact of the rope socket or swab,

and secondly, it assists in rotating the head 46 into locking position when the lugs 55 engage the grooves 52. When the entire inner assembly has been carried upwardly on the cable, and it is desired'to replace this assembly in the body of the oil saver, the cable is merely lowered and the lugs 55 will find their way into one of the grooves 52 because of the wide mouth 53, also the inclination of the wall which extends to the vertical groove 52 is such that the head 46 is moved so that the lugs 47 will engage the notches 38. The inclined surfaces 39 when struck by the lugs 47 will cause the upward part of the member 36 to rotate counter-clockwise and will compress the spring 45. As soon as the head 46 has dropped into its proper position, the spring 45 will urge the rotatable member counter-clockwise and will thus assist in moving the lug 4'7 into the notch 38. Also the lugs 55 striking the inclined and enlarged mouth of the grooves 52 will swing the head 46 in a clockwise direction to lock said head in the grooves 38.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An oil saver comprising a sleeve, a ring rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a plunger in said sleeve, a collar, said plunger being slidably mounted in said collar, engaging segmental threads on the ring and collar, and means imparting a partial rotation to said collar upon upward movement of said plunger whereby said collar is released from the ring.

2. An oil saver comprising a sleeve, a ring rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a plunger in said sleeve, a collar, said plunger being slidably mounted in said collar, engaging segmental threads on the ring and collar, splines on the plunger, said sleeve having recesses therein to receive the splines, lugs on the upper end of theplunger,

said collar having inclined groove-ways therein into which said lugs extend whereby a partial rotation is imparted to the collar on upward movement of the plunger to release said. collar from the ring. a

3. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a collar, a ring, re-

leasable means coupling said ring and the collar, and means partially rotating said collar upon the upward movement of said plunger, and packing means mounted in said collar and extending into said plunger, said packing means including a nut mounted in the collar, a depending pipe member and packing means in said pipe member.

4. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in saidsleeve, a collar, a ring,

releasable means coupling said ring and said collar, said means being releasable on partial rotation of the collar, and means partially rotating said collar upon the upward movement of the plunger, packing means in said collar, means rotatably mounting said packing means whereby the packing means is free to rotate.

5. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a collar, a ring, releasable means coupling said ring and said collar, said means being releasable on partial rotation of the collar, and means partially rotating said collar upon the upward movement of said plunger,

packing means including apiston, a pipe member depending from the piston, packing in the pipe member, bearing means in the pipe member on which the packing rests, a sleeve extending into said pipe member, said last named sleeve being formed with a tapered inner surface against which the packing bears, means rotatably mounting said last named sleeve, said piston being adapted to be moved upwardly to compress the packing when pressure occurs in the well.

6. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at .the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a collar, a ring, releasable means coupling said ring and said collar, said means being releasable on partial rotation of the collar, and means partially rotating said collar upon the upward movement of said plunger, a cage mounted in the collar, a piston in the cage, a pipe member depending from the piston, packing in the pipe member, a bearing in the pipe member on which the packing rests, a sleeve extending into the pipe member, means rotatably mounting the last named sleeve in the cage, said last named sleeve having a tapered inner surface against which the packing bears, said piston being adapted to move upwardly when pressure. occurs in the well whereby the'packing is urged inwardly against the work.

7. an oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, an annular shoulder on the top of the sleeve, a ring member bearing against said shoulder, means supporting said ring member on the sleeve, a plunger in the sleeve, splines on the plunger, said sleeve having recesses therein to receive the splines; a collar, segmental teeth on the collar, segmental teeth on the ring adapted to mesh with the teeth on the collar, lugs on the plunger, said collar having inclined grooves therein into which said lugs extend whereby a partial rotation is imparted to the collar on upward movement of the plunger, a

nut screwed into the collar, a depending pipe member on the nut, said pipe member extending into the plunger and packing in the pipe member.

8. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a head, a plurality of lugs on said head, a cylindrical section mounted on said sleeve, means rockably mounting said cylindrical section, said cylindrical section having notches formed therein into which said lugs are adapted to fit, and means coupling said'plunger and head whereby. upward movement of said plunger will partially rotate said head to release the lugs from the notches.

9. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a head, a plurality of lugs on said head, a cylindrical section mounted onsaid sleeve, means rockably mounting said cylindrical section, said cylindrical section having notches formed therein into which said lugs are adapted to fit, and means coupling said plunger and head whereby upward movement of said plunger will partially rotate said head to release the lugs from the notches, and spring means bearing against said plunger whereby said plunger is urged downwardly and the impact shock on said plunger is relieved.

10. An oil saver comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a guide sleeve mounted in said first named sleeve, said guide sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal grooves, formed therein, a plunger, lugs on. said plunger adapted to fit in the grooves in the guide sleeve, 9. head, means coupling said plunger and head whereby upward movement of said plunger will impart a partial rotation to said head, lugs on the head, a tubular member rising above the first named sleeve and seated thereon, said tubular member having notches formed therein to receive said lugs.

11. An oil saver comprising'a sleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a guide sleeve mounted in said first named sleeve, said guide sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal grooves formed therein, a plunger, lugs on said plunger adapted to fit in the grooves in the guide sleeve,

a head, means coupling said plunger and head whereby upward movement of said plunger will impart a partial rotation to said head, lugs on the head, a tubular member rising above the first named sleeve and seated thereon, said tubular member having notches formed therein to receive said lugs, and means rockably mounting the tubular member on the first named sleeve, and inways therein, said plunger having inclined lugs adapted to fit in the inclined groove-ways, lugs extending from the head, a tubular member seated on the first named sleeve, said tubular member having a plurality oi. notches formed therein,said lugs on the head being adapted to enter the notches in the tubular member whereby the head is locked in position.

13. An oil saver comprising assleeve adapted to be mounted at the top of the well, a guide sleeve positioned in said first name'd sleeve, said guide sleeve having longitudinal grooves formed therein, a plunger, lugs on the plunger engaging said grooves, a head, said head having inclined groove-ways therein, said plunger having inclined lugs adapted to fit in the inclined groove-ways,

'lugs extending from the head, a tubular member seated on the first named sleeve, said tubular member having a plurality of notches formed therein, said lugs on the head being adapted to enter the notches in the tubular member whereby the head is locked in position, and means rockably mounting the tubular member on the first named sleeve, and spring means bearing against the plunger whereby said plunger is urged downwardly in the said guide sleeve.

ROBERT F. PARKS- 

